Yamaha Piano Sound in a Portable Package -- Perfect for Beginners!

If you're shopping for a portable keyboard for a beginning piano student, you're probably looking for an instrument without a ton of bells and whistles. But here's a secret: when you start a piano student out on a keyboard that's irresistibly fun to play, they'll actually look forward to practicing! The Yamaha YPG-235 combines industry-leading grand piano sound with a host of features designed to make learning to play a blast. It's ideal for the student or hobbyist performer looking to bridge the gap between acoustic piano and portable keyboard.

A Serious Instrument

Before you even begin to play, the first thing you'll notice about the YPG-235 is its size. Smaller 61-key keyboards can leave frustrated pianists reaching for keys that aren't there. Although the YPG-235 is only 18 pounds, it's a substantial 76-key model that looks and feels like a serious instrument. The YPG-235 comes with a sturdy music rest that attaches securely in slots at the top edge, and easily detaches when you'd like an unobstructed line of sight with your audience. The unobtrusive LED display glows cool blue with a handy display of the musical staff and preview of the keyboard. And while other portable keyboards have puny on-board speakers, the YPG-235 boasts a room-filling 12-watt 2-way stereo speaker system. If you prefer to practice in privacy, simply plug in headphones to the 1/4-inch jack.

Authentic Piano Sound

Yamaha builds some of the world's top-quality acoustic pianos, so it stands to reason that their digital instruments are also built to a high standard. "YPG" stands for Yamaha Portable Grand, and it's no exaggeration: expressive, detailed grand piano sound is the crown jewel of the YPG-235. Piano-style Graded Soft Touch keys are heavier to the touch as you move lower on the keyboard and lighter on the higher notes, just like a real acoustic piano. Optimized for beginners, the non-weighted keys are touch-sensitive for greater expression. And speaking of expression, you can add even more realism to your performance with the sustain pedal input, built-in pitch wheel, and on-board Reverb, Chorus, Master EQ, and Harmony effects.

...Plus 488 More Instruments

Get ready to rock out with a grand total of 489 high-quality on-board sounds! Just press the Voice button and spin the jog wheel to scroll through pianos, organs, guitar, bass, strings, horns, drums, synths, and beyond. You can play two instruments simultaneously with a press of the Dual On/Off button, or play two different instruments with your left and right hands using the Split function. When you just want to play piano, touch the black "Portable Grand" button to return to the industry-leading grand piano sound. With the jog wheel and dedicated buttons, the YPG-235 couldn't be easier to navigate.

Learn To Play In Style

This is where the intermediate keyboardist can really get cooking. The YPG-235 has an auto-accompaniment feature that generates rhythm, bass, and chords in any style you choose, to go along with chords you play with your left hand. Press the Style button to select one of 160 Styles, from 60s Guitar Pop to Ibiza trance. Then press the start button to start the rhythm, adjust the tempo, and play a left-hand chord to start the style. Even if you don't know chords, the YPG-235 can follow the root notes you play with just one finger. Even your piano warm-up exercises are fun to play when there's a drum kit backing you up!

Master a Song At Your Own Pace

Want to really impress Mom? Press the Song button and scroll the jog wheel to choose one of 30 favorite on-board songs. Slow down the song's tempo to play along at your own pace, using the buttons like a tape deck to play, rewind, fast-forward, reverse and pause. The Yamaha Education Suite, or Y.E.S., steps you through the song, each hand separately, then together. Once you've got the notes down, you'll learn to play them with the correct timing, and finally you'll be playing along with the YPG-235 backing you up. And if you miss a phrase, press the "Repeat & Learn" button to go back four measures and try again. At the end of your performance, you'll get an evaluation and a chance to try again or move on to the next step. It's a little like playing a video game -- just a lot more educational.

Record Your Own Tunes

The YPG-235 has an has an easy-to-use 6-track sequencer that lets you record five of your own compositions and save them as User Songs. Play along with the metronome, with your recorded performance, or any of the on-board Styles. Not sure which Style suits your music? Browse the Music Database and choose a sound you like based on 300 classics -- rock ballads to show tunes. Then lay down your tracks in any order you like. You can individually access, re-record or delete each track layer from dedicated front-panel buttons. Time to back up your creations? Transfer your songs to your computer via a printer-style USB cable, using the Yamaha's included Musicsoft Downloader software. And while you're at it, add any of the 70 songs on the included CD-ROM to your YPG-235's internal memory.

Don't Forget The Power Adapter

Pick up one of zZounds' bundles, and make sure you get the optional power adapter along with your YPG-235 keyboard! Choose a bundle with stand, headphones, and power adapter, or choose the Survival Kit accessory pack that includes a power adapter, headphones, foot switch for use as a sustain pedal, a DVD with learn-to-play software, and a two-year extended warranty from Yamaha.

Product Description

You probably know that Yamaha makes some of the world's finest acoustic grand and baby grand pianos. It only makes sense, then, that their digital grand piano would sound a notch above the competition. The true, stereo-sampled grand piano is lifelike and rich, and it's reproduced beautifully on the Yamaha YPG-235's built-in, stereo, two-way speaker system. Adding to the real-piano experience is the Graded Soft Touch keyboard. Comprised of 76, semi-weighted keys, it approximates the "action" of real, mechanical ivories.

The Yamaha Education Suite: Learn At Your Own Pace

If you've ever been frustrated by educational software in the past, the straightforward simplicity of the Yamaha Education Suite, or Y.E.S., will be a breath of fresh air. Y.E.S. presents an easy-to-understand and effective learning system that'll help students of any age become better players. Simply load up one of the YPG-235's 30 internal songs (another 70 are included on CD-ROM) and the on-screen piano graphic shows you which notes to play.

Access An Infinite Library Of Music

Once you're comfortable with sight-reading, you're going to want to play as many different pieces of music as you can find. The YPG-235 can help you there, too. A USB input connects the keyboard to your computer, and from there, the internet. Any song saved in the popular MIDI format can be downloaded to the Yamaha YPG-235, with real-time feedback displayed on the graphical keyboard.

Optional Survival Kit includes:

About Yamaha

Founded in 1887 as a company making reed organs, Yamaha makes some of the best musical instruments on the market. Although they make a wide variety of products, musical instruments have always been their main focus. The YPG-235 represents a halfway point between personal keyboards and stage pianos. While it has better sounds and more features than their personal keyboard line, it lacks the weighted hammer action found on their main line of stage pianos (but costs considerably less).

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Bought for a Novice - Exceeded Expectations!"

Sound:
The sound is great on this keyboard -- it was purchsed for a 10-year-old "budding musician", and we have been thrilled with the variety of sounds, beats, pre-recorded sounds, and the number of options for him to explore.
Feature:
The product included NO accessories...not even an electrical plug/adaptor! That was a surprise to us...might not be to others. We did get a "survival kit", that included headphones, foot pedal, and the power cord. It did seem strange to me to have to pay extra for that...
Ease of Use:
Harder for me to figure out, quite intuitive for my son. I couldn't figure out how to get the drum sound without reading the instructions -- he's been able to get all kinds of sounds going without once looking at the manual, so I'll give it an 8...
Quality:
Very well made. Solid keyboard, solid stand. No issues on working, but we've only had it for a week. It seems like it will last for years.
Value:
I would say the item was appropriately priced. It's a solid, well built keyboard, that has a variety of interesting options for someone who is learning how to play and enjoys experimenting. Definitely worth the price.
Manufacturer Support:
I didn't have to contact Yamaha, but did contact ZZounds to order (needed advice on what to get) and service (missing power cable in survival kit). Service at all times was outstanding....very knowledgeable, incredibly patient (I had no idea what I wanted!), and great service orientation.
The Wow Factor:
Very slick look -- love how it looks set up on the stand. Very professional looking and "high tech" with all the different buttons. Nice LED screen as well.
Overall:
I expect we'll have this keyboard and use it for years to come. The only change I could see would be if my son continues to a point where he wants to do more recording or more sophisticated music work. If the product were lost, I would replace with same.

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"The Yamaha YPG 235...Priced right and with that good old Yamaha reputation--A WIN WIN!!!"

Sound:
The sounds that I get from the Yamaha is quite expressive and the textures of sounds is magnificent from piano to strings and beyond.One of the major reasons for my choice to purchase this brand is because of the fact that Yamaha is world known for its popular pianos and Yamaha took every oportunity to relay that experience over to the YPG.
Feature:
The after market people who actually are responsible for the stand, were nice enough to include the allen wrench,stand,and legs but the actual screws were no where to be found.In all fairness,when you get a keyboard of this calibre the flimsy stand I wouldn't have used anyway.The features are wonderful and not complicated to learn for someone truly wanting to drive this thing to a certain musical purpose.It did not include the usb A-B wire and I don't understand why it wouldn't be but for a small three dollar and change I'll have it delivered.
Ease of Use:
It was only about 15 minutes after I took the keyboard from the box that I was able to start creating sounds that I consider suited my taste.As a writer I have specific taste in sounds that I need and use and for the price the YPG came through with flying colors.The manual is so precise that even a novice will be creating beautiful sound in no time.And don't forget,the YPG has a built in learning center.
Quality:
The YPG is a very sturdy keyboard.Good for on the road travel,the factory quality is great also.Power made simple,and thats wonderful at a time in my life currently where my wife and I are starting a website.
Value:
I believe the price is a steal.This keyboard is very much worth much more than its listed price,and again if anyone has owned this particular brand you can expect them to echo that comment.
Manufacturer Support:
Well,if you ate buying the keyboard new like we did,I would suggest that you complete the online registration (to C.Y.A.)and at present I couldn't imagine anything going wrong,but just in case(my A.)is covered.Respectfully the name itself is synonymous with sturdy and dependable as well as quality equipment.Motorcycles,you name it,Yamaha is a name I will be buying for a long time.
The Wow Factor:
There is no doubt that there is a certain genius in the design,but at the age of (a young)42,I know that the sex appeal of this product is,if at all,not wasted on the sheer design itself.Looks great also.This keyboard
Overall:
This keyboard has everything that I need in a recording device and the sequencing is a marvelous way to assemble songs before final recording.If I were to lose it for any reason I would immediately replace it with another YPG.I'm "old fashioned" and If something works really good for me more often than not,i wouldn't try to take it apart or change or fix it.

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A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

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